Hugh was named for a warm personal friend of his father, the gallant Colonel Hugh McNiel of the famous "Bucktails," who was killed at South Mountain and [in 1887] occupies a position in connection with his father's business.3282
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The first American Legion Auxiliary in Pennsylvania to erect a memorial to veterans, since World War I, was The Curwensville American Legion Auxiliary, Josua Earl Sipes Unit No. 505.

The plot where the memorial stands [1949] on State Street, was given to the Auxiliary by Hugh M. and Elizabeth G. Irvin, heirs of the late Col. E. A. Irvin, a member of the famous Pennsylvania "Bucktail" Regiment. The Auxiliary then used all their means during the next four years to raise $3,750.00 that went into the erection of the monument.

On Flag Day, June 14, 1925, the memorial was unveiled and dedicated by the Auxiliary "To The Veterans of All Wars." The memorial tablet contains the names of 203 local veterans of World War I.3295
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”Pee Wee’s Nest,” now known as Irvin Park was given to Curwensville by Elizabeth and Hugh M. Irvin in 1921. The name Pee Wee’s Nest came from the small birds that roosted there. The park is the setting for the annual Curwensville Days celebration.3942
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Irvin Park [was] built some time after Hugh M. and Elizabeth G. Irvin had presented to the Borough the "Pee Wees Nest" and the name of the park changed to "Irvin Park" (1922). This natural beauty spot had for years been the property of Col. E. A. Irvin (father of the above named Irvin heirs) who so generously permitted the former "Pee Wees Nest" to be used as a picnic and camping ground, had already been a favorite resort.3943
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Hon. Jos. O. Clark, of the Edensburg Forest No. 44 T.C.L. entertained at his estate “Jos-Win”, Glen Campbell, Indiana County, PA and initiated candidates from other localities. From the vicinity of Curwensville among those who were taken in, and later demitted to organize and became charter members [of Keystone Forest No. 93], was a Hugh M. Irvin.

Keystone Forest No. 93 T.C.L., Tall Cedars of Lebanon, of Curwensville, was instituted June 19, 1923 in the Curwensville Opera House. The meeting was presided over by Supreme Tall Cedar John A. Longacre of Camden, NJ, home of the Supreme Forest. At that meeting among the officers elected and installed to lead were trustee Hugh M. Irwin [sic], of Curwensville.

The degree team from Mountain Forest No. 44 Ebensburg, Pa., with their Band, assisted in the initiation of the 1st class of new members. Following the meeting in the Opera House the members retired to the lawn of the Presbyterian Church where supper was served. The membership of Keystone Forest comprised members of Masons from Clearfield, Center and Jefferson Counties.

Keystone Forest No. 93 since first instituted has used the Masonic Temple of Curwensville as their home.1990
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The [Masonic] Lodge was moved to Curwensville, Pa. in 1881. The Lodge room was the east half of the third floor of the Patton Building, where it continued until 1924. Since that time, the Lodge home has been in the present building [1949], formerly the residence of Colonel John Irvin and brothers and now owned by the Lodge.

Hugh M. Irvin bought from the estate, the Colonel John Irvin home which he gave to the Masonic Lodge. Soon after, the Masonic Hall Association was formed, and among the members were Hugh M. Irvin, Chairman, Ashley M. Bloom, Henry B. Swoope, and Merritt A. Caldwell. The building was completely renovated and decorated.900
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Headstone photo appears at this source.982
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